Drawing frame clearer



Aug. 31, 1943. o. F. BURMN, JR

DRAWING FRAME CLEARER Filed Feb. 1o, 194g 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 31, 1943. o. F. BURMAN, JR

DRAWING FRAME CLEARER C 4 la' Patented Aug.` `31, ,11943 DRAWING FRAME camara fOscar F. Burman, Jr., Brockton, Mass., assignmto Saco-Lowell Shops, Boston,

, ration of Maine v Mass., a corpov Application February io, 1943, serial No. 475,353

11 Claims.

A drawing frame of the character commonly used in connection with thepreparation of textile fibers for spinning, usually includes four or five pairs of upper and lower rolls between which strandsof roving are fed and by which they are drafted; 1 `Inorder to maintain the rolls comparatively free from lint and iiy, a clearer cloth is customarily stretched across the upper surfacesof theentire series of` top rolls Where it rests lightly on them and wipes oi the iiy carried by them. Provision is made in these machines for adjusting the spacing of the rollsto accommodatefdiierent lengths of staple, and when such an adjustment is made it often isnecessary, also,A to lengthen or shorten the 'clearer to a substan-` tially corresponding degree since, if the clearer is too long, it interferes with piecing up. t Various r expedients for accomplishing this object have beenemployed, such as splicing the clearer cloth or lapping it, as occasion may require, lacing the ends together, or connecting them by springs. All `of these methods of adjusting the clearer to compensate for changesin the spcing of the rolls, however, are troublesome; and the present invention `aims to devise a more satisfactory solutionfor this problem. Y i

The nature of the invention understood `from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features will `be particularly pointedout in the appended claims.`

In the drawings,` l t t l t Figure l is a plan view of a portion of a drawing frame constructed in accordance with this invention, some parts being shown in section;

Fig` 2 isa vertical, sectional view through the roll coverand the parts contained therein,` the section being taken approximately on the` line `2--2,rig. 1; t

Fig. 3 is aviewsimilarto Fig. 2 but showing the rolls spaced more ,closely together and illustrating the cleareras'adjusted to suit the requirements of this change in spacing; and t Fig. 4is avertical, sectional view on the line `-`-4`,"Fig. l.

`The machine shown inthe drawings comprises will be readily are overlapped, one upon the other. Each is of generally rectangular shape, the front section 5 having bars a and b at its forward and rearward edges, and the rear section `6 having bars c and d, respectively, at its corresponding edges, the space between `said bars in each frame being open, except for end bars which connect them. The clearer cloth is threaded around these bars a, b," c and d, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, andits ends are then brought together and sewed or fastened to eachother in any convenient manner,

butt stitching being preferred. This operation may conveniently be performed at the bar a.

It will be evident from an inspectionof Fig. 2

that when `the clearer has been installed in this,l manner it" has a section e extending across and resting upon the upper surfaces of the entirezseries of top rolls 3. The other sections are idle at the moment, so far as the operation of clearing is concerned, but the `fabric'can be drawn` around the bars at any time so as to present fresh surfaces to contact with the toprolls. It should also be observed that the clearer belt is disposed in :a looped formation with two of` these loops,`

namely those in which the bars b and c arelo` cated, overlapped one `uponV the other. Also,that` if theframes 5 and 6 are so'arrangedthat one can be adjusted lengthwise of the belt relatively to the other, such yadjustment will'result in pro--V ducing slack' at 'oneofi the bars 'of the frameV t section that is moved and simultaneously taking it up at the same rate onthe otherbar of that section. For example; if'the rear frame section 6 is moved to the left, Fig. 2, suchmovement of the bar d will tend to produce slack at the righthand end of thebelt, butthe bar c will be moved a series of bottom rolls 2 and cooperating top rolls 3, all arranged, supported and driven in a` r l manner usual in machines of this type.

respectively, at 5 and li.` These frame sectionsV The clearer cloth 4 is here made in an endless or beltl simultaneously at the same rate and, consequent-` ly, it will take up `the slack'as fast as it is produced. Thus a. constant tension on the belt will` t be maintained notwithstanding the adjusting movement.` l t l t Provision is made for makingthe adjustment just described by forming `a slot 1, Fig. 1,\in the end of the rear framesection 6, passing a bolt B1 through this slot and threading it into the underlyingend portion of the `front section 5 and providing the same constructionat theopposite end of the clearer. Thus by'loosening the bolts A l the rear frame may be slid forward or'backward` relatively to .the from; frame to the desired Ade This adjustment is required` only when` a substantial change in the spacing of thefdraftng rolls `is made, and the degree ofV adjustment of the clearer belt should be made to correspond in gene,

eral to the new adjustment of the rolls. As shown in Fig. 2, the rolls are mounted in bearing blocks l0, and all but the foremost of these blocks are mounted for adjustment toward and from the latter, the front block. remaining lixed.

In addition to adjusting the extremer length of the span of the clearer belt, it is also'desirable to adjust the length of the cover for the rolls.`

clamp the two sections of the cover together.

Thus by loosening the nuts at vopposite ends of the cover, the rear section may be adjusted relatively to the front section to change the overall length of, the cover to suit the requirements of diiferent roll settings. l Y

The front cover section Hv is reinforced at its forward corners by bracketsk Il' andthe lower ends of` these brackets rest in notches I8 cut in the front bearing blocks l at the opposite ends of the machine. Similarly, the rear cover section also is reinforced and stiffened by two hinge arms, one of which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 at 20. This arm carries a pivot 2l resting in a pivot block 22 which is mounted on the roll stand for adjustment in the same manner as are the bearn ing blocks I0, and these two arms at opposite ends of'y thev cover extend forward beyond the extreme overlap of the two cover sections, 4so

that they add stiffness to the front as well as to the rear sections. This hinge mounting of the cover at its opposite ends permits it toV be swung back into Ian open position affording free access i tothe rolls. f

In order to support the clearer frame on the cover while stillj permitting that freedom of movement of the frame which is desirable, the

nuts I5 for the bolts M are elongated, as shown inv Figs. 2 and 3, and they extend through holesl provided in lugs or ears that project from the opposite end bars of the forward frame section 5. One of these ears is shown at 23 in Figs. 1 and 4. Also, a washer 24,'somewhat larger in diameter K than the maximum diameter of the nut l5, is secured to the bottom of this nut by a screw 25. Bearing in mind the fact that the two frame sections are held together by the bolts 8 it will be evident that when the cover is swung upwardl-y, as indicated for example inV dotted lines in Fig. 2, the nuts I 5 will slide freely through the holes in the ears 23 for a very short distance `until the washers 24v strike the lower faces of said ears, at which time they will pick up the entire clearer frame assembly and carry it with 'the cover. This connection not only holds the clearer frame4 looselyto the cover, but also determines the lateral and longitudinal position of the frame assembly in the cover. I

Itshouldvbe observed, however, thatA during the operation of the machine the nuts l5 rdo not support'the clearer'vertically but thaton the contrary,'it rests by gravity on the top rolls 3.

Also, that the front bars a and cof the two clearer frame' sections are heavier than the rearl bars d ande. This fact is useful inso `distributing the weight of the clearery frame that the clearer belt bears 'withrv greater pressure on the front rolls than on the rear rolls, which is desirable because of the greater quantity of fly carried by the forward rolls. The rear bar b of the front section also bears on thehorizontal reach e of the clearer when the parts are extended, as

shown in Fig. 2, and this fact is of advantage in applying pressure to that section of clearer belt in operative position, at an intermediate point in its length, where the pressure tends to be rather light. As therolls are moved closer time it acts on the rear clearer frame section to move'it forward, both adjustments thus being made Simultaneously. A slight correction of the cover adjustment may later be made by Pulling it back a little in order to be sure that the rear vend yof the frame section 5 does not rub against the cover.

It will be evident from the foregoing that the invention provides a clearer construction in which the adjustment to suit different roll spacings can be made quickly and easily and in which, also, a relatively long length of clearer cloth is supported continuously in its operative position but is always maintained taut regardless of the adjustments.

vWhile I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be evident that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in other forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. The same problem with which this invention deals is present in any drawing mechanism including a set of upper and lower rolls between ywhich strands of roving or the like are fed and byWhich they are drafted, if said rolls arev mounted for adjustment to change the roll spacing. Obviously the invention is equally useful in all such mechanisms and they are therefore included in the term drawing frame. Y

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is: v

l. In a drawing frame, the combination with a set of drawing rolls and means supporting them for adjustmentto vary the spacing of said rolls, of a clearer belt for said rolls, and supports holding said belt in its operative position, said supports being relatively adjustable to change the overall vlength of the belt span and simultaneously to let outA slack in one part of'it and to take it up in another .whereby the clearer is maintained taut notwithstanding said adjustments to conform to `different roll spacings.

2. A drawing frame according to preceding claim l, in combination with a `cover for said rolls movable into open and closed `relationship to them, said supports being mounted inand connected with saidcover to be moved therewith when the latter is opened and closed.

3.1In aA drawing frame, the combination with a set of drawing rolls and means supporting them i for adjustment to vary the spacing'of said rolls,

of 'a clearer belt for said rolls, and two sets of parallel bars around which said clearer belt is threaded in a looped formation with a portion of the belt overlapped upon another part thereof within the overall spanof the belt, said sets of bars being relatively Iadjustable to change the set of drawing rolls and means supporting them for adjustment to vary the spacing of said rolls, of` a `clearer belt for said rolls,` and `two sets of parallel bars around which` said clearer belt is threaded in a looped formation with a portion of the beltoverlapped upon` another part thereof,

` one of said sets of bars being` simultaneously adjustable lengthwise of the belt, whereby as fast` as the movement of one bar produces slack in the belt, another bar takes it up. i,

5. In a drawing frame,` the combination with a set of drawing rolls and meanssupporting them for adjustment to vary the spacing of said rolls, of a clearer belt for said rolls and means supportmeans for locking said cover sections together in different adjustedrelationships, and means connecting said frame assembly with said cover to position the assembly both laterally and longitu-` dinally in the cover and also to lift saidassembly out of its operative position when the cover is lifted;

ing saidbelt in its operative position, comprising` front and rear frames each provided with front and rear horizontal bars, said frames being overlapped one upon the other, wherebythe front bar of the rear frame is positioned ahead ofthe rear bar of the front frame, said belt being threaded around and supported on said bars and providing a loop section overlapped upon another part of the belt, said frames being relatively adjustable to vary the length ofthe `belt span to suit different settings of said rolls, and means for securing said framestogether in various adjusted relationships to form a clearer frame assembly supporting said belt in cooperative relationship to said rolls. i

6. A drawing framein accordance with preceding claim 5, in combination with' a cover for said rolls mounted for swinging movement into open and closed relationship to them, and means connecting said frame assembly to said cover for risingand falling movement substantially therewith as the cover isopen and closed.

7. AA drawing framev in accordance with preceding claim 5, in combination with a cover for said rolls mounted for swinging movement into open and closed relationship to them, and means connecting said frame assembly to said cover and supporting said assembly loosely `for swinging movement substantially with the cover and serving, also, to position said assembly both laterally and longitudinally inthe cover.

8. A drawing frame according to preceding claim 5, in combination with a cover for said rolls comprising two sections overlapped one upon the other and adjustable to change `the overall length of the cover to suit different roll spacings, means supporting said cover for swinging movement into open and closed relationship to said rolls,

9-A drawing frame according to preceding claim 5, in combination with a cover for said rolls comprising two sections overlapped one upon the other and adjustable t-o change the overall length of the cover to suit different roll spacings, means supporting said cover for swinging movement into open and closed relationship to said rolls, bolts for`locking said cover sections `together in various adjusted relationships, said` bolts loosely supporting said clearer frame assembly for vertical movement with said cover and serving, also, to position said assembly both laterally and longitudinally in the cover.

10. In a drawing frame, the combination with a set of drawing rolls and means supporting them for adjustment to vary the spacing of said rolls, of a clearer belt for said rolls, and two sets of parallel bars around which said `clearer belt is threaded in a looped formation with a portion of the belt overlapped upon another part thereof, a cover for said `rolls comprising front and `rear sections relatively `movable to adjust the overall length of said cover to suit diierent roll settings,

one of said sets of bars for supporting said clearer 11. In a drawing frame, the combination vwith a set of drawing rolls and means supporting them for adjustment to vary the spacing of said rolls,

of a clearer belt for said rolls', and twosets of parallel bars around" which said clearer belt is threaded in a looped formation' with a portion of the belt overlapped upon another part thereof, a cover `for said rolls comprising front and rear sections relatively movable to adjust the overall length of said cover to suit different roll settings, and means supporting said cover for swinging movement into open and closed positions, and means connecting said cover with said frame assembly to support `the latter loosely `from the former, the rear section of said cover being so associated with said rear section of the clearer frame that a shortening adjustment of the cover automatically moves said rearV frame section to frame assembly.

OSCAR F. BURMAN, J R. 

